By Pamela McGowan

Last updated at 11:48, Wednesday, 25 May 2011

Two west Cumbrian pubs have been named top of the barrel by real ale lovers.

The Tithe Barn in Station Street, Cockermouth and the Brook Inn at Trumpet Terrace, Cleator, have been voted pub of the season and pub of the year respectively by Camra.

Members of the Campaign for Real Ale’s west Cumbria branch give out the awards regularly to establishments that promote real ales and serve top quality beers.

They put forward a number of nominations for pub of the year, of which a short list of four was drawn up. The Brook Inn – run by Kirsty Bennett and Chris Lace – was selected as the eventual winner following a rigorous set of visits.

One of the judges, Chris de Cordova, explained why: “There are always four ales, with tasting notes on the chalk board and on the tables. Yates’ Golden Ale and Timothy Taylor’s Landlord are regulars because they are very popular.

“Chris Lace varies the other two beers – sometimes getting them from any of the 29 Cumbrian breweries, sometimes from further afield.

“Chris knows what his locals and his regular visitors like and advises which beers he thinks they would enjoy – guest beers are carefully chosen to match the palates of the local real ale lovers. He is happy to consult with customers as to what they would like him to order next.”

The pub, which has remained the hub of the community, also serves home-cooked food and its unusual decor adds to its ambience.

“This is truly a community pub, catering for all elements – the rough and ready, the gentle and refined, rich and poor, young and old. The Cumbrian welcome here is warmer than anywhere,” he added.

Meanwhile, the spring pub of the season award went to the Tithe Barn, which has been run by Glyn and Barbara Hewitt since July 2006.

Although the pub itself managed to escape the November 2009 floods, the cellar was left three-and-a-half feet deep in water, causing damage to both stock and equipment.

In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, the couple took in and fed elderly residents who had been forced out of their homes and in the following days used the food they had left for rescue workers.

Although it is predominantly known for its food, the pub also offers three regular hand-pulled Jennings ales, along with occasional guest beers in the summer. Cockermouth Camra member, Stephen Walker, said: “The beers are always in top condition.

“It’s obvious that Glyn really enjoys what he’s doing at the Tithe Barn.”

Glyn said the award had come out of the blue, and they were delighted.

“It’s gratifying to get this kind of recognition that not only is the food great, but the beer’s good as well,” he added. “It’s a nice surprise.”

The Kirkstile Inn at Loweswater, Lifeboat at Maryport and Brown Cow at Waberthwaite were all named runners up in the pub of the year award. The Brook Inn will now be judged against the three other Cumbrian branch pubs of the year to determine who goes forward to the regional stage of CAMRA’s national competition.

First published at 11:28, Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk